The effect of defense mechanisms, psychological resilience, and burnout levels used by primary caregivers of individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis on each other

The aim of our study is to determine the effects of defense mechanisms, psychological resilience and burnout levels used by primary caregivers of individuals diagnosed with psychiatric disorders. Our research is quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional. The research was conducted between 15.05.2023/31.12.2023. The population of the study consists of volunteer participants who are the primary caregivers of patients admitted to the psychiatric ward and psychiatry outpatient clinic at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Hospital. Using the G*Power universe known sampling method, the primary caregivers of 370 patients constituted the sample of the study, according to 95% confidence (1-α), 95% test power (1-β) and d = 0.5 effect size. The study was conducted through face-to-face interviews and filling out a questionnaire. The data of the research were obtained using the Personal Information Form, Maslach Burnout Scale, Defense Styles Test, and Adult Psychological Resilience Scale. The research was evaluated with SPSS 22.0 statistics program. Frequency and percentage analyzes were used to determine the descriptive characteristics of the caregivers participating in the research, and mean and standard deviation statistics were used to examine the scale. Kurtosis and Skewness values were examined to determine whether the research variables showed normal distribution. The relationships between the dimensions determining the caregivers' scale levels were examined through Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses. Independent groups t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc (Tukey, LSD) analyzes were used to examine the differences in the scale levels according to the descriptive characteristics of the caregivers. According to the study findings, caregivers have low burnout levels and high psychological resilience. Individuals with high psychological health use mature and neurotic defenses. They use their defense mechanisms at a moderate level in all three sub-dimensions. High burnout levels reduce mature defenses and increase immature defenses. As a result, in our study, psychological resilience reduces the level of burnout in caregivers. Caregivers with low levels of burnout and high psychological resilience use mature defenses more. Interventions by mental health professionals to increase psychological resilience, reduce burnout, and increase the use of mature defenses in primary caregivers of psychiatric patients may be beneficial. It is thought that new studies on this subject in the literature will contribute to the caregiver and the literature. Key Words: Burden of Care, Psychiatry, Psychological Resilience, Defense Mechanisms, Burnout Syndrome